Guadeloupe and Martinique came together earlier this week for the first time for their own show to promote the Caribbean islands in Toronto. Close to a hundred travel counsellors and members of the trade turned out for the French Caribbean Sensations event, which was held in association with Atout France and Air Canada, which serves both islands from Montreal year-round.

“You take a cup of sand, add a dash of beach and culture and a few ice cubes of France, and that’s a sexy cocktail,” laughed Tudor Alexis, general consul of France in Toronto, in introducing the evening’s speakers, adding that the Lesser Antilles islands – located north of Saint Lucia, south of Antigua, and separated by Dominica – are “love at first site destinations.”

Prominent in Quebec, where both islands have tourism offices, the overseas territories of France are less well-known in English Canada, a situation islands tourism exec hope to change.

“Canada is one of our biggest markets, we have been here for a long time,” said Francois Baltus-Languedoc, GM of the Martinique Tourism Board, who added that Toronto is the island’s second largest market in Canada, but still without direct flights. “I had a dream that in two years we’ll have a Toronto flight from Air Canada,” he said, though he urged not waiting and easily connecting through Montreal now.

Air Transat also flies to the islands, from Montreal.

“The potential (from Canada) is enormous,” added Baltus-Languedoc, who noted that Martinique has already gained 11,000 additional air seats from this country in the last year. “And that shows that Air Canada and Air Transat really trust our destination,” he said.

Melanie Paul-Hus, director of the French tourist board, Atout France, agrees that there is plenty of potential for the islands out of Canada, noting that they are not only beautiful, but safe and outfitted with modern and reliable infrastructure comparable to France (currency is the Euro). English is also widely spoken.

MARTINIQUE

Martinique boasts beautiful unspoiled beaches, volcanic peaks, rainforests, 130-plus kilometres of hiking trails, waterfalls, streams, and other natural wonders, such as Le Precheur marine reserve.

There are also 22 dive sites, prompting a strong dive culture and extensive infrastructure. A highlight is famed Saint-Pierre’s wrecks, the remnant of the city of Saint-Pierre which was destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 1902.

Based on Afro-Caribbean Creole culture, the island has a vibrant identity and cultural scene: cuisine, music, art, language, festivals, is the self-proclaimed “Rum Capital of the World,” and birthplace of coffee in the New World.

Accommodation ranges from B&Bs and villas to intimate and luxury hotels and the all-inclusive Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek.

It is this special combination of modern world conveniences, pristine nature, and rich heritage that has earned for Martinique several notable distinctions in recent years, including being named the top winter getaway for 2019 by OpraMag.com.

Following a 42 percent increase in the number of Canadian visitors between 2018 and 2019, the “Isle of Flowers” is expecting to welcome a record number of Canadian travellers in 2020 thanks to increased airlift from Air Canada and Air Transat and significant cruise programs from MSC and Costa Cruises, which homeport on the island.

GUADELOUPE

Comprised of five verdant, volcanic islands – Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, and La Désirade – Guadeloupe offers visitors a variety of activities, from hiking and snorkeling to hang-gliding, ziplining and cycling. Easily accessible, the islands of the Guadeloupean archipelago can be combined: five trips in one.

A popular cruise stop, Guadeloupe will welcome 203 cruise ships with over 332,000 passengers during the 2019-20 cruise season.

Beyond both black and white sand beaches, and impossibly blue waters, highlights of a visit include a slave museum (and heritage route), coffee plantation, botanical garden, artisanal chocolate, nine rum distilleries, and a host of natural and water-based activities.

Club Med La Caravelle dominates an accommodation sector with a broad spectrum of options, from B&Bs and Airbnb, to villas, ecolodges and three- four- and five-star hotels.